Dave hasn't been doing to well at all over Christmas. He's having a real rough time just now, he's unable to get on the pc much due to his back problems.He is sorely missed around this place, i'll told himthat we are all thinking of him and hoping he gets some relief soon.

I spoke to Dave just before christmas and was shocked at how poorly he had become but he assured me that he was still smiling. Dave has a way of saying the right things and lifting people's spirits, I truly hope that 2008 brings him good news and will be sending healing vibes his way.

Quincy Dave had the surgery but the surgeon said it wasn't a success. He's in a lot of pain but is getting a little relief from a tens machine that he just got. He was saying he maybe going back into hospital at end of month for a two week pain management course.His whole life has been radically changed due to his poor health. He is really having a bad time, although his humourous charachter shines through even through his troubles.

I'll keep you all posted on how he is doing when i hear anything, that is if he can't get on here himself. Hopefully things will improve for him, we miss him around here.

I wish I could share some positive news with you all but the 2 Neuro surgeons, physiotherapist, and neurologist I see are unsure whether there will be any improvement, as you may remember I had the C5-6 disc removed leaving the C2-3 still prolapsed, it was considered to be too dangerous to remove that one and as it had been in that state for some time the Neuro surgeon is confident it can stay in situ, of course that pushes on nerves which causes pain also the scar tissue from the op is pushing on nerves when I look up or down, they are unable to say whether this will improve but they are not prepared to carry out further surgery because of the hih risk, so it seems like I'm stuck, but you know me I'm still smiling, in fact the last time I saw the consultant I burst out laughing in his office because he was going through my different problems ha ha ha, knees, UC, hands, left arm, heart neck and not forgetting depression ha ha ha, you have to laugh or you'd go mad hee hee, I'm not even 40 yet

Work wise my bosses want me to make the most of my time at home so enrolled me on a computer course ECDL which would be excellent if I could take notes but as writing involves bending my neck it hurts so I'm lagging behind and feel guilty for not doing more :-( Physiotherapy is good, I ride a stationary bike for 30 minutes although I have to keep my head in the neutral position, I also walk a lot and spend a lot of time wondering how long I can keep my job for before they say goodbye.

With such a hectic life it is difficult to get on here and I'm only on now because I fixed my laptop yippeeee and as it's 01:33 Sunday morning it's a great opportunity to give you all an update the laptop is resting on my tummy and bent legs as I try to type quietly without waking Mandy up otherwise I would be in trouble, I believe she is having a difficult time at the minute, she works all the hours and then comes home to sort me out ha ha ha, I assure you she'll be fed up with me soon if she isn't already hee hee.

Just don't forget me guy's I will bounce back from this don't know when but it'll take a lot more than this to keep me down ha ha ha, love to you all especially you Marty and precious Beth you are my inspiration!

Oh man..I've been gone for a while, so didn't know Dave was having such troubles. So hard! Good to see you are keeping your spirits up. Hang in there!

Diagnosed:

Officially Diagnosed with UC in June 2003. Have had stomach issues since 1989. Unknown if they are related or not. Have mild/moderate UC. Have had 4 flares, the last one caused by hormones from stopping breastfeeding. Currently back in remission! Only taking 6 Asacol a day. Will take Rowasa enemas as needed. Colozal did not work for me. Luckily my UC is relatively minor and responds well to meds, but man do those flares hurt!

cheers Marty, I miss everyone here,I'm off to see Rheumatologist on Friday, last time I saw him he said he'd be admitting me in the new year for 2 weeks for a pain management course, i'm dreading it because the food in German hospitals is totally minging, I never thought I'd say it but the cookhouse and even the NHS food is like 5 star compared to that yuk, we are talking weird disgusting food.

I actually enjoyed the food in Belfast but German food to me = nil by mouth voluntarily ;-)

Fortunately or not, the doc wont admit me for the pain management because noone can say whether the pain is coming from the c2-3 disc which is still prolapsed or whether it's scar tissue pushing on the nerves, they wont operate again unless I become paralysed, because they feel it's too dangerous so I'm stuck, I can't look up or down without agony in my neck and left arm. I can't use my left arm right and noone can say whether there is going to be any improvement or not, I'm just thankful that I am on the antidepressants because I know I wouldn't cope right now without them.

Trying to keep my head together and remain positive is so difficult especially as I'm close to losing my career and home, sorry to sound down but finding it diffucult to smile right now

you are an inspiration to us all...always remember that, no matter what.

I think if we can live we UC day in, day out, for years...we can make it through ANYTHING. Hang in there buddy, there's light at the end of the tunnel...

Sometimes healing takes time...months or even years, trust me on that.

I've had a few surgeries and I'm still trying to recover from one in 2006 and it may never happen...but who cares...I'm going to enjoy myself anyway...my body will not deprive me of happiness because I won't allow it.

Hang in there, you're in our thoughts and prayers.

ps.I'm not saying do this, but when I had surgery my sister gave me her 600mg prescription strength tylenol pills until I got hydrocodine from a pain specialist.